Go To Lawyer Home | Add to Favorites
Hire Divorce Lawyer Or Use Online Divorce Forms?
When do you need to hire a family law attorney and when is it okay to just use an online divorce form website to save a little money? This article will provide a few pointers to help you decide whether to do it yourself or retain a divorce lawyer.
What Does it Mean to Use an Online Divorce Form Website?
Essentially, using an online form website in your divorce case means that you will represent yourself and act as your own lawyer. All of the online divorce form sites have disclaimers making it clear that they are not your lawyer and are just preparing documents on your behalf. While it is your constitutional right to act as your own lawyer, there are some significant risks involved that should be evaluated before you take the online route.
Additionally, you have to evaluate the particular website you are dealing with. Most are national sites that offer forms that they claim will work in any state. However, every state has different laws. In other words, a California Divorce Decree will not be identical to a Texas Divorce Decree because the laws of the two states are not identical. So with an online divorce you are basically getting a generic form that may or may not work in your jurisdiction.
What if You Have Children?
While many of the divorce form sites claim to offer forms that address the necessary provisions regarding children (conservatorship, support, visitation, etc.), it is very risky to use these generic forms when you have children. You must remember that your divorce forms are being prepared using online software that simply fills in the blanks with your answers to very simplistic yes/no or multiple choice questions. These answers may not necessarily fit your situation or you may not fully understand the question.
This is where a competent lawyer can make a big difference. A lawyer will learn more about your situation and find out exactly what your documents need to say, instead of just the boilerplate language that the divorce website's software spits out. If you have children, you should take the safe route and hire an experienced divorce lawyer.
What if You Own Property?
Many of the divorce form sites also claim to offer forms that will deal with the most complex of property divisions. But when it comes to dividing any property beyond personal effects (clothes, furniture, etc.), it is risky to rely solely on generic divorce forms. If you or your spouse own real estate, vehicles, 401k accounts or other retirement accounts, or have any other financial assets or liabilities, an online divorce form will not necessarily protect your interests.
A competent divorce lawyer would be able to, first, analyze your situation and determine what property division is in your best interest, and second, ensure that all the assets awarded to you were properly transferred and the titles correctly recorded on your behalf.
Conclusion
Using an online divorce form always carries a certain amount of risk. If there are no children from the marriage and no property to divide, then saving a few hundred dollars may be worth the risk and the extra work you will have to do. But for most people, especially those with children or property, it is essential to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to handle their case.
About the author:
Scott Morgan has been a Houston divorce lawyer since 1994. His practice focuses exclusively on divorce and family law cases. You can find out more about Mr. Morgan on his website, http://www.houstondivorce.com/houston-divorce-lawyer.html
Source: Article Directory
The Initial Step: Seek Legal Advice
Seeking for legal advice is the first step that one must take if he’s been involved in personal injury cases such as car accident, auto accident, slip fall injury, and many others. This has been also the case when you have questions on any fields of the law. You have to remember that there are certainly lots of resources for legal advice and there are also lots of lawyers or attorneys that are always ready to assist you by providi...
The Value Of Airplane Accident Claims
Airplane accidents are devastating tragedies. Almost every year, these accidents become the headlines of news stories. In all cases, lots of lives are being taken which brings trauma to their surviving dependents. Losing you love ones from such incidents is really a painful experience. So, if you’ve lost a relative or you’re a survivor of such accident, you can file ...
Pph And Why You Might Need A Lawyer.
Your greatest probability of having a triumphant case for a PPH lawsuit is if you have taken Fen-Phen (Fenfluramine and Phentermine) to drop weight. Fen-Phen regulates serotonin in the body to affect ones need to eat. Elevated levels of serotonin can disapprovingly affect ones heart in such a way as to injure it. Assuming you have PPH caused by the utilization of Fen-Phen, your symptoms would comprise, but would not be restricted to, briefness of breath and upper body pains. Fen-Phen can even cause heart valves to give away, resulting in the req...
|
 |
|
|
Lawyer - How To Find The Best Mesothelioma Lawyer Or Mesothelioma Attorney?
Choosing a good Mesothelioma Attorney or Lawyer is important, as they will be able to determine the appropriate level of compensation and other important matters relating specifically to Mesothelioma litigation. Most Mesothelioma Attorneys and Lawyers offer free consultations and ca... |  |
| Lawyer - Choosing An Injury Attorney
The legal profession has a rich history rooted in the English justice system. Over the years, the terminology has become modified and the meanings have been muddled.A lesson on the courtroomCourt ... | |
| Lawyer - Things To Do Prior To A Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident is one of the most horrible causes of personal injuries in most countries today. This is really gruesome in the sense that what it brings its victims is a combination of financial losses, physical pain, and emotional suffering. Compared to car accidents, it actually causes more injuries and deaths. Really worst, isn’t it? And if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident case as a victim, you must be open to just compensation either by filing a lawsuit or resorting to an out-of-court settlement.For your information, motorcyclists are not always liable in ... | |
| Lawyer - Car Accident Lawyers On The Web
Car accidents happen all too frequently in today’s fast paced society. Majority of these accidents result to minor property damage claims. But, some of them result in substantial property damages, serious personal injuries, or even death. Car accid... | |
| Lawyer - Getting A Social Security Disability Lawyer
To be able to win a social security disability case can only be obtained through the assistance of a competent social security disability lawyer. Getting one is such a no small matter. What must we really consider when choosing the right representative to handle our disability cases? Well, to help... | |
| Lawyer - The Need For An Auto Accident Lawyer
Generally speaking, an auto accident can definitely be a big headache. In a minor accident, you can just handle your claim on your own. However, after having been involved in a serious auto accident, hiring an auto accident lawyer is the rightmost thing to do. After all, you can expect your lawyer to be your most trusted partner in getting the proper compensation you truly deserve. Remember that without a legal counsel, you might be able to endure the difficulties in the legal process.As we all know, lots of auto accidents happen every day. And the first few da... | |
| Lawyer - Wrongful Death Lawyers
Wrongful death refers to a lawsuit which alleges that the victim was killed as a consequence of negligence or misdeed of another. Usually, wrongful death occurs as a result of personal injury accidents, medical malpractice, auto accidents, workplace accidents, dangerous or defective products, mesothelioma and other accidents. When the proximate cause of the wrongful death of the decedent roots from reckless, careless or negligent acts of another, his actions are often subject to personal injury and/or wrongful death suits.The loss of a family member causes great pain, turmoil, as well as inconceivable loss of the family. In the stage of grieving, it is hard or impossible to function in everyday life and carry on, let alone think about making a wrongful death claim. This stage leaves the decedent’s family feeling powerless with so ... | |
| Lawyer - What Do We Need To Know About Wrongful Death?
In the eyes of the law, ignorance excuses no one. Thus, it is more than a prerogative to know the general truth about some claims in order not to sleep on our rights. One of the most prevalent claims is the wrongful death. Moreover, we have to be acquainted with this claim to help us out in the future if wrongful death has occurred.A wrongful death is a lawsuit which alleges that a person has died due to deliberate and negligent acts of the defendant. Thus the surviving dependents or beneficiaries of the decedent are entitled to compensation. In connection to wrongful death, every statute is unique though they may follow some general principles.Generally, the immediate family members like the spouse, parents and children, provided they are of major age and capacitated to do so, are the ones entitled to institute a cla... | |
| Lawyer - If You Have Been In An Accident, Do You Need A Lawyer?
If you have been in an accident, whether at work, in an automobile or under some other circumstances, you may be wondering if you need to seek the advice and counsel of an attorney. On one hand there are the advertisements by lawyers on television that insist that you need their help to protect your rights. On the other hand, the insurance company that is handling your claim may insist that they are doing everything necessary for your interest and health.... | |
|
|